Lighting system and method

ABSTRACT

A controllable dynamic lighting system including a lighting element device with a set of controllable zone and a controlling means. A method for controlling a lighting system including: receiving lighting system operation inputs, determining operation instructions for one more controllable zones based on the operation inputs, and controlling controllable zone operation based on the respective operation instructions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/548,319, filed 22 Aug. 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/801,600 filed 2 Nov. 2017, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/455,391 filed 6 Feb.2017, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/416,330 filed 2 Nov. 2016, andU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/416,980 filed 3 Nov. 2016, each ofwhich is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the connected lighting field, andmore specifically to new and useful systems and methods for controllabledynamic lighting in the connected lighting field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the lightingsystem.

FIG. 2 is an example embodiment of the lighting system.

FIG. 3 is an example arrangement of the lighting system housing.

FIG. 4 is an example of a region selection on a touch-sensitive surfaceof the lighting system.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram of the method of controlling a lightingsystem.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of an example of the method.

FIG. 7 is an example of a virtual representation of a lighting system.

FIG. 8 is an example embodiment of the lighting system.

FIG. 9 is a depiction of an example implementation of the virtual inputregion.

FIGS. 10A-10C are examples of an embodiment of the lighting system invarious modular configurations.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a spatial configuration of an embodimentof the lighting system.

FIG. 12 is a depiction of the expandability of an embodiment of thelighting system.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an example implementation virtual inputregion in an application on a user device.

FIG. 14 is a schematic depiction of data flow through an exampleembodiment of the lighting system and method.

FIGS. 15A-15D are example implementations of color blending.

FIGS. 16A-16D are example implementations of color blending.

FIG. 17 is an example implementation of double buffered zone animation.

FIG. 18 is an example implementation of geographic layout determination.

FIGS. 19A-19B are examples of a lens.

FIG. 20 is an example of representing an animation in a low-resolutionformat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiments of the inventionis not intended to limit the invention to these preferred embodiments,but rather to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use thisinvention.

1. System

The controllable dynamic lighting system, herein referred to as thelighting system 100, includes a lighting element device and acontrolling means, the combination of these features allowing for thecontrol of light output by the lighting system 100. The lighting system100 functions to output light in a controllable manner, preferably basedon user input but alternatively based on any other suitable input. Inparticular, the lighting system 100 can change the spatial distributionof the output light (e.g., increase the relative light parameter valuesof one lighting system unit relative to another, decrease the relativelight parameter values of one portion of a light emitting unit relativeto another, etc.). The lighting system 100 can optionally change theintensity, color, hue, saturation, intensity, on/off state, or otherparameter of the output light.

In one example shown in FIG. 1, the lighting system unit 110 of thecontrollable dynamic lighting system 100 includes a light emitting unit111, a housing 130, a touch-sensitive surface 132, a connector 150, acontrol module 140, and an input. Additionally or alternatively, thelighting system unit can include an output. The lighting system unitfunctions to emit light (e.g., the output light) by way of the lightemitting unit 111. Additionally, the lighting system unit 110 canfunction to provide an interface (e.g., a connector) for modularexpansion of the overall lighting system through the addition of furtherlighting system units.

In one variation, the lighting element device is a lighting system unit110 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 2). Alternatively, the lighting elementdevice can include any number of elements configured to emit light, inany arrangement. The lighting system can be formed from one or morelighting system units no. Preferably, the controllable dynamic lightingsystem can be expanded by physically and/or communicatively couplingadditional lighting system units no to the lighting system unit no (e.g.as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C and FIG. 12); in these variations, the term“lighting system” further includes the terms “modular lighting system”and “modular lighting assembly”, wherein a modular lighting system ormodular lighting assembly preferably includes at least two lightingsystem units no. In an alternative variation, the lighting system caninclude a stand-alone lighting system unit no that is not expandable.Preferably, each lighting system unit 110 in a lighting system includesa controlling means; alternatively, there may be a single controllingmeans for a lighting system, or any number or arrangement of controllingmeans.

Preferably, each lighting system unit includes at least one lightemitting unit 111, which functions to emit light and illuminate thesurroundings of the lighting system unit per desired specificationsand/or user input. The light emitting unit 111 preferably includes oneor more light emitters 112 (e.g., solid state light emitters/LEDs,incandescent bulbs, LCD/LED screens, etc.). In one embodiment, the lightemitters 112 are arranged with a consistent spacing from each other(e.g., between adjacent light emitters) within the light emitting unit111. This spacing is preferably non-negligible and is discernible by thenaked human eye. Alternatively, any uniform or non-uniform arrangementmay be used. Each light emitter 112 is preferably an LED, such as ared-green-blue (RGB) LED. Alternatively, a light emitter 112 can be alight source other than an LED (e.g. fluorescent bulb, laser, etc.). Insome variations, each light emitter 112 includes a set of multiple lightemitters 112 (e.g. a set of three single-color LEDs). In somevariations, a light emitting unit 111 or a lighting system includesmultiple types of light emitters 112 (e.g. miniature LEDs, high-powerLEDs, bi-color LEDs, fluorescent bulbs, etc.). Preferably, each lightemitter 112 can emit light of any wavelength in the visible spectrum(i.e. 390 nm and 700 nm). Additionally or alternatively, each lightemitter 112 can emit a subset of wavelengths in the visible spectrum orradiation outside the visible spectrum (e.g. invisible light, such asinfrared radiation or UV light).

The lighting system preferably defines one or more controllable zones120 (controllable regions), wherein each controllable zone 120 isindividually indexed and/or individually controllable by a controllingmeans. Each lighting system unit preferably includes one or morecontrollable zones 120, but can include any suitable number. Eachcontrollable zone 120 preferably includes a set of one or more lightemitting units, wherein each light emitting unit can include one or morelight emitters, but can alternatively include one or more lightingsystem units, the entire lighting system, or any other suitablecomponent. Preferably, at any given time, each light emitter in acontrollable zone 120 emits light with the same characteristics (e.g.color, intensity, saturation, etc.) as every other light emitter in thecontrollable zone 120 (e.g., the light emitters within a singlecontrollable zone 120 are indexed and/or controlled as a singleendpoint). When the controllable zone 120 includes multiple lightemitters, the light emitters are preferably adjacent, but canalternatively be separated (e.g., by intervening light emitters not inthe controllable zone). The light emitters within a controllable zone120 are preferably from the same light emitting unit, but can be fromdifferent light emitting units, different lighting system units,auxiliary devices, or from any other suitable system. The controllablezones 120 of the system are preferably separate and distinct (e.g.,include separate and distinct light emitter sets), but can alternativelyoverlap (e.g., multiple controllable zones can include a common lightemitter). The light emitter assignment to a controllable zone 120 ispreferably predetermined and fixed, but can be dynamically determined.For example, the controller(s) can be configured to support a fixednumber of controllable zones 120 per square meter of an array of lightemitters, substantially independently of the number of light emittersmaking up the array. In another example, the controllable dynamiclighting system can support a fixed number of controllable zones 120(e.g., 5, 50, 100, etc.), and as additional lighting system units areadded to the overall lighting system, the correspondence between thecontrollable zones 120 and the individual light emitters can dynamicallyadjust to maintain a similar number of light emitters in eachcontrollable zone of each light emitting unit. Alternatively, there canbe any suitable configuration of controllable zones 120 of the lightemitting unit or units. The lighting system unit preferably includes nomore than 200 controllable zones or light emitting units per square footof the lighting system unit, but can alternatively include 1,000controllable zones or light emitting units per square foot, 100controllable zones or light emitting units per square foot, 10controllable zones per square foot, or any suitable number or density ofcontrollable zones and/or light emitting units.

The controlling means of the lighting system functions to control thelight properties of the lighting system. The controlling meanspreferably includes one or more control modules 140, wherein a controlmodule 140 functions to control the output of the light emitters in oneor more controllable zones. The control module 140 (e.g., controller)can include one or more microchips or microprocessors, a CPU, a GPU, aTPU, ASICs or any other suitable control hardware.

The control module(s) 140 of the lighting system can be arranged in anysuitable configuration, and be associated with (e.g., be connected toand/or hosted by) any suitable set or subset of lighting systems,lighting element devices, lighting system units, light emitting units,and/or light emitters. However, the control module(s) 140 can beotherwise arranged and/or configured. In some variations, the controlmodule 140 can include a plurality of submodules associated with eachcomponent for which control is desired (e.g., one control submodule 140per controllable component, one control submodule 140 per twocontrollable components, etc.), but can alternatively include a singlemodule. For example, a plurality of submodules 140 of the control module140 can include a set of microprocessors, each microprocessor associatedwith and configured to control an individual light emitter of a lightemitting unit. Alternatively, the control module 140 can include asingle microcontroller that is communicatively coupled with each systemcomponent (e.g. a controllable zone) for which control is desired.Alternatively, the lighting system can include one control submodule 140per lighting system unit in a lighting system with one or more lightingsystem units.

In one variation, the control module 140 includes one or more controlsubmodules 140 and a master control module 140, wherein the mastercontrol module 140 functions to control the control submodules 140 (e.g.as shown in FIG. 2). Preferably any lighting system unit in the lightingsystem can be associated with the master control module, butalternatively a specific lighting system unit (e.g. master lightingsystem unit) can be predetermined to be associated with the mastercontrol module. In one example, a control submodule 140 (e.g. amicroprocessor) is associated with each lighting system unit and asingle master control module 140 (e.g. system on a chip, microprocessor,etc.) is associated with each control submodule 140. In a specificexample, the lighting element device includes a plurality of lightingsystem units and a master controller. Each lighting system unit includesa local controller (control module 140) that individually controls thecontrollable zones on the respective lighting system unit. Eachcontrollable zone can additionally or alternatively include a zonecontroller that controls the light emitting units within the respectivecontrollable zone. The master controller (e.g., lighting element devicecontroller, lighting system controller, lighting system unit controller)is preferably electrically connected to each lighting system unit (e.g.,in parallel, serially, etc.) within the lighting element device, morepreferably to the respective local controllers but alternatively toanother lighting system unit component. The master controller canoptionally be connected to a power source (e.g., battery, power outlet,etc.) by a wired connection. In this variation, the master controllercan receive control instructions from a control endpoint (e.g., anothercomponent of the controlling means, a client executing on a user device,a remote computing system, etc.) and pass all or a portion of thecontrol instructions to the local controllers for execution. However,the master and/or local controllers can operate in any suitable manner.

In a second variation, the controlling means is distributed. In thisvariation, each lighting system unit includes a local controller (e.g.,for the entire lighting system unit, for a controllable zone, etc.),wherein the control instruction can be broadcast to the localcontrollers within the lighting element device, and the localcontrollers can individually determine which control instructions toexecute. In one example, the local controllers can vote on which controlinstructions to execute. In a second example, one local controller canbe nominated or otherwise assigned to be a master controller, and assigncontrol instructions to other local controllers for execution. In athird example, the control instructions are pre-assigned to differentlocal controllers, wherein each local controller executes the respectiveassigned control instruction. However, the controlling means can beotherwise distributed.

The controlling means can optionally include the control module 140(e.g. processor) of an auxiliary device, wherein the control module 140of the auxiliary device performs some part or all of a process used incontrolling the light properties of the lighting system. The auxiliarydevice can be: a user device (e.g., mobile device, such as a smartphone,wearable, tablet, laptop, etc.), a system connected to a common network(e.g., a smartcamera, smart lock, etc.), or be any other suitabledevice. In one example, the control module 140 of a user device is anapplication (e.g., client, native application, browser application,operating system application, etc.).

The control module 140 can optionally include on-board volatile and/ornon-volatile memory, such as RAM or Flash memory. The memory preferablyfunctions to: store configuration settings (e.g., for WiFi or deviceconnection), layout information (e.g., controllable zones indices,adjacent lighting system units, relative orientations of lighting systemunits, etc.), calibration maps, control instructions, system identifiers(e.g., for the individual lighting system unit, lighting system unittype or other information, etc.), or any other suitable operationinformation. In one variation, each control module 140 in a lightingsystem further includes memory (e.g. RAM), which functions to storeinformation involved in the processes performed by the control module.Alternatively, only a single control module 140 or a subset of controlmodules 140 may further include memory. Alternatively, none of thecontrol modules 140 may include memory. In one example, all data used byand produced by the control module(s) 140 of the lighting system arestored in a remote server 170.

However, the control module 140 can include any other suitable set ofcomponents.

The control module 140 of a lighting system preferably functions toperform a set of processes involved in controlling the light propertiesof the lighting system. Preferably, the set of processes includesreceiving one or both of: a region selection and a color selection. Inone variation, the region selection and the color selection are chosenby a user. Alternatively, one selection may be chosen by a user andanother selection may be determined without user input. For instance,the region selection may be chosen by a user and the color selection maybe determined by an algorithm. The region and color selections may bereceived from any number and type of sources. In one variation, theregion and color selections are both received from the same source (e.g.an application on a user device). In another variation, the region andcolor selections are received from separate and distinct sources. Forexample, the region selection can be received from an application on auser device, while the color selection is received from a control moduleassociated with a touch-sensitive surface, separate and distinct fromany touch-sensitive surfaces attached to the user device. In a secondexample, the region selection is received on a touch-sensitive surfaceof the lighting element device (e.g., of one or more lighting systemunits), while the color selection is received from the user device. In athird example, both the region selection and color selection arereceived on the touch-sensitive surface of the lighting element device.

The region selection preferably includes (e.g., is associated with, mapsto, etc.) one or more controllable zones of one or more lighting systemunits, but can be associated with any suitable set of controllablezones. The selected controllable zones can be contiguous (e.g.,adjacent, abutting), separated, or otherwise spatially related. Thecolor selection preferably includes the hue of the light to be emittedby a light emitter in the lighting system, but can additionally oralternatively include a light property other than hue, such as tint,shade, tone, lightness, chromacity, luminescence, saturation, intensity,on/off state, or any other suitable property. In some variations, thecolor selection includes multiple light properties. The color option canbe selected by the methods described for selecting a color in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/782,866 filed 7 Oct. 2015, which isincorporated in its entirety by this reference. Alternatively, the colorand region selections can be made verbally (e.g., orally, etc.) or inany suitable way with any suitable device.

The set of processes performed by the controlling means preferablyfurther includes determining a layout of the lighting system or themodular lighting system (e.g., as discussed below). Alternatively, anyother method can be used for determining the layout of the lightingsystem.

The set of processes performed by the controlling means preferablyfurther includes determining an indexing scheme, which can besubsequently used to identify the indices of the controllable zonescorresponding to the region selection. Additionally or alternatively,indices corresponding to other elements of the lighting system,including the lighting system itself, may be identified.

Preferably, each controllable zone in a lighting system is individuallyindexed, according to one or more indexing schemes. In some variations,the indexing scheme is determined by and stored on a single controlmodule; alternatively, any number and combination of control modules maybe involved in the indexing scheme(s). The indices of the light emittersin a controllable zone are preferably stored in the control module ofthat controllable zone's associated lighting system unit. Alternatively,the indices of the light emitters in a controllable zone may be storedin a master control module of the modular lighting system, a userdevice, an application on a user device, a remote computing system (e.g.cloud-based computing system), or any other storage type or location.

In a first variation, a double-indexing scheme is used, wherein twoindices—a primary index and a secondary index—are determined and stored,wherein the primary and secondary indices are preferably stored inseparate control modules. The primary index serves to uniquely identifyeach controllable zone within a single lighting system unit. The primaryindices for each control module in the lighting system unit arepreferably stored in a control submodule (e.g. the control module of alighting system unit) but can be stored in a library (e.g., retrievedfrom a remote computing system) or otherwise stored. The secondary indexserves to uniquely identify each lighting system unit within a modularlighting system (e.g., lighting element device). The secondary indicesfor each lighting system unit in the modular lighting system arepreferably stored in a master control module of the modular lightingsystem, but can be stored by a remote computing system, a controlsubmodule, or by any suitable system. In the secondary indexing scheme,each lighting system unit is treated as a singular controllable zone. Inthis variation, lighting instructions (e.g. color assignments) areassigned to each indexed lighting system unit, based on the secondaryindexing scheme, wherein each lighting system unit individuallydetermines control instructions for each controllable zone within thelighting system unit, based on the primary indexing scheme.

In a second variation, each controllable zone throughout a modularlighting system is individually indexed and uniquely identifiable in asingle indexing scheme, and preferably stored in a single master controlmodule of the lighting system, wherein the control module generateslighting instructions (e.g. timing and duration of light emitters beingin an ‘on state’) for each controllable zone. In some variations, theindexing scheme is updated multiple times during the life cycle of thesystem, and can be updated based on various different cues. Such cues,for instance, may include detecting the addition of a lighting systemunit to the modular lighting system, receiving power in the modularlighting system (e.g. plugging in the modular system to a wall outlet),receiving user instruction, determining the modular lighting systemlayout (e.g. the number of modular lighting system units, theconfiguration of the modular lighting system units, the relativeposition or orientation of the modular lighting system units, etc.), orany other cue or combination of cues. In a first example of the secondvariation, each controllable zone is assigned a specific index number,wherein the index number uniquely identifies each controllable zone in amodular lighting system. The indexing scheme further includesdetermining the lighting system unit to which each controllable zonebelongs; determining this can involve a variety of different methods andprocesses. In one example, a counting method is performed, wherein thenumber of lighting system units in a modular lighting system arecounted. In some variations, the counting method is performed asdiscussed in the method below. Alternatively, any other method ofcounting can be used. Additionally or alternatively, the method mayinclude receiving information from a control module associated with alighting system unit, such as, but not limited to: a lighting systemunit identification (ID), spatial coordinates, a graphicalrepresentation of the modular lighting system layout, etc. In somevariations, a data bus is used to receive and transmit information. Insome variations, layout information is retrieved from a database.Additionally or alternatively, layout information can be determined fromthe type of connection between units, such as a known length of a cableconnecting two lighting system units. Alternatively, energy measurements(e.g. power, voltage, current, resistance, etc.) can be used indetermining layout information of the modular lighting system. Exampleimplementations of this method are described below. Alternatively, anyother method may be used.

In a third variation, a combination index for each controllable zone isstored in a master control module, wherein the combination indexidentifies the lighting system unit which contains that controllablezone, as well as an identifier for that controllable zone within thelighting system unit. Alternatively, the combination indices may bestored in any suitable control module or combination of control modules.In this variation, the layout and number of controllable zones within alighting system unit is preferably predetermined, fixed, and stored in amaster control module. Further, the layout and number of lighting systemunits within a modular lighting system is preferably predetermined,fixed, and stored in a master control module. Alternatively, layout andnumber information may be dynamic and stored in any suitable format andlocation.

Alternatively, any other indexing scheme, combination of indexingschemes, or method for determining an indexing scheme can occur.

Each controllable zone (e.g., the light emitters within a controllablezone) functions to emit light having a set of properties (e.g., hue,saturation, intensity etc.), wherein the properties are preferablyspecified by the user inputs, but can alternatively be predetermined,dynamically determined (e.g., by a user, by a user device client, etc.),or otherwise determined. The light properties can be received from thecontrol module, a master control module, or otherwise obtained. In onevariation, the light properties are determined in accordance withlearned behaviors of a user, such as times of occupancy in a household.The user behaviors, preferences, operation contexts, or otherinformation can be determined using deterministic, probabilistic,symbolistic, Baysean, or other processes; neural networks; geneticprograms; support vectors; lookup tables; equations; or any othersuitable method. In alternative variations, the light properties havetemporal characteristics, wherein the light properties are determinedbased on the time of day, the particular day during the week, a holiday,or based on any other suitable unique or recurrent timeframe or event.Additionally, a control module of the lighting system can determinelight properties based on environmental conditions. In one variation,the lighting system is WiFi-enabled, and can use Internet data (e.g.weather conditions, daily sunset times, social media information, etc.)to determine light properties. In one example, the light emitters areprogrammed to operate at maximum intensity during times when the weatherforecast is overcast. However, any other suitable auxiliary orcontextual information from any other suitable source can be used. Eachlight emitter within a light emitting unit is preferably controlled as aset alongside other light emitters within the same light emitting unit.However, individual light emitters can alternatively be indexed andcontrolled independently. In a first specific example, each lightemitter is an independently controllable red-green-blue (RGB) LED.

The lighting system unit can have various configurations. Exampleconfigurations include: a matrix or array having any suitable geometry(e.g., rectangle, square, triangle, hexagon, etc.), a predetermined openor closed curve (e.g., a circle, a sinusoid), a line, a flexible strip,or any other suitable configuration. In a first variation, the lightingsystem unit is configured as a rigid bar. In a second variation, thelighting system unit is configured as a flexible strip and/or tape (e.g.as shown in FIG. 8). In a third variation, the lighting system unit isconfigured as a rectangular (e.g. square) panel. In a fourth variation,the lighting system unit is configured as an elongated rectangularpanel, resembling a beam. In a fifth variation, the lighting system unitis configured as a sphere. In a sixth variation, the lighting systemunit is configured as a lightbulb (e.g., a candelabra lightbulb, whereina strip of individually indexed and controllable light emitters extendsalong the candelabra longitudinal axis). The lighting system unit canalso be a directional lighting system like that described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/920,020, entitled “Directional Lighting Systemand Method,” filed 22 Oct. 2015, which is incorporated in its entiretyby this reference. However, the lighting system unit can have anysuitable configuration.

The lighting system unit optionally includes a housing 130, wherein thehousing 130 functions to diffuse the output of the light emitters.Additionally or alternatively, the housing 130 may function to providestructure to the lighting system. In one variation (e.g. as shown inFIG. 3), the housing 130 has a first face 131, wherein the first face131 is parallel to and proximal the active surface of the lightemitters. The active surface of the light emitters herein refers to asurface defined by the portion of the light emitters from which thehighest intensity light or highest proportion of light is emitted(normal to the direction in which the highest intensity light isemitted). For instance, in the case of a planar array of LEDs, whereinthe LEDs each include a dome-shaped housing 130, the active surface canbe a plane contiguous with and/or parallel to the apex of the LEDhousing domes. In another example, the light emitters are LEDs in acylindrical arrangement; the active surface would be a cylindrical shellcontiguous with the apexes of the LED domes. Preferably the first face131 has the same shape as the arrangement of the light emitters. In onevariation, the light emitters are arranged in a planar configuration,and the first face 131 is a rectangular sheet. The outline of the firstface preferably includes all ninety-degree angles, thereby facilitatingfull-edge contact between lighting system units in the modular system.In one example, the full-edge contact functions to overlap lightprojections (‘leak light’) between adjacent lighting system units,effectively giving an organic and soft transition (e.g. blending)between lighting system units. In one variation, the light emitters arearranged in a cylindrical configuration, and the first face 131 is acylindrical shell. In some variations, the first face 131 encloses thewhole system or multiple light emitting units—in other variations, thehousing simply covers a set of light emitters. The distance between thefirst face 131 and the active surface is preferably determined based onthe material properties of the diffusive material, such as the diffusionangle. The diffuser is preferably planar, but can alternatively becurved or have any other suitable geometry. The diffuser is preferablymade from a solid sheet of plastic, but can alternatively be made fromcloth, woven plastic, or any other suitable material. Examples ofdiffuser material include Makrolon™ Lumen LC₅, Acrylite (0D0002), FusionOptix™ (e.g., 4040 or 6060), or any other suitable material. Thediffuser is preferably between 10%-90% transparent (e.g., allows 10%-90%of incident light through), but can alternatively be between 30%-70%transparent, or have any other suitable transparency. The diffuserpreferably permits 100% light transmission, but can alternatively permit10%-90% light transmission, between 25-75% light transmission, or permitany other suitable light transmission therethrough. In one example, thefirst face has an optical transmittance of 90% or less. The diffuserpreferably scatters 10-90% of the incident light, but can alternativelyscatter 20-80% of the incident light, 30-70% of incident light, orscatter any other suitable proportion of incident light. The diffuser ispreferably white and reflects light across the visible light spectrum,but can alternatively be tinted and reflect light along a subset of thevisible light spectrum, or have any other suitable color. In onevariation, each lighting system unit has a single housing 130;alternatively, each lighting system unit may have multiple housings 130,or a single housing 130 may cover multiple lighting system units, aportion of a lighting system unit, or any number and arrangement oflight emitters. Optionally, the housing 130 may further include a secondface opposite the first face and distal the active surface of the lightemitters. In one variation, the second face is offset from the firstface, leaving a gap between the first and second face of preferably10-50 mm (e.g., such that the housing has a total thickness of 35 mm).Alternatively, any other spacing between the first and second face mayoccur. Further alternatively, the spacing may be non-uniform. Furtheralternatively, the spacing may be variable. Preferably, the second facehas the same material properties as the first face; alternatively, thesecond face can be made of any suitable material. In some variations,the housing 130 further includes any number of side or edge pieces,which function to connect the first face to the second face. In somevariations, the housing 130 further functions to provide a structure tothe lighting system (e.g. physically supporting the light emitters andmaintaining a constant spacing between them). The housing 130 mayfurther include additional faces (e.g. a bottom face to which a controlmodule is adhered), diffusive surfaces (e.g. a diffusive filter),materials, components, fastening mechanisms, or any other elements. Insome variations, the housing 130 encloses one or more control modules.Alternatively, a control module may be attached to a side of the housing130.

Additionally, the lighting system unit can include one or more lenses,which functions to control the projection of light from one or morelight emitters. Preferably, the lens is arranged distal to the firstface, but can be otherwise arranged. The lighting system unit caninclude one lens per light emitter, light emitting unit, lighting systemunit, or any other suitable system or sub-system; however, the lightingsystem can include any suitable number of lenses for any suitable set ofcomponents. The lens is preferably convex (e.g., toward the diffuser),but can alternatively be concave, toroidal, or have any suitablegeometry. In one variation, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the lightingsystem unit includes an array of lenses, which function to cause overlap(e.g. blending) between light projections of adjacent controllable zones(e.g., shown in FIG. 19A). In one example, a protrusion is arranged overeach light emitter.

Additionally, the lighting system unit can include a substrate, which isarranged distal to the front face and functions to physically supportany or all of the light emitting unit, the connector(s), the controlmodule(s), the input, and/or any additional component of the lightingsystem unit. Preferably, the light emitters are adhered (e.g. throughsoldering) to the substrate; alternatively, they can be fastened in anyother way, not fastened, or not even in contact the substrate.Preferably, housing's second face serves as the substrate. The substratecan define the form factor of the lighting system unit (e.g., have thesame profile as the lighting system unit), or have a different profilefrom the lighting system unit (e.g., preferably with a smallerfootprint, but alternatively with a larger footprint). In one variation,each lighting system unit has a single substrate; alternatively, eachlighting system unit may have multiple housings, or a single housing maycover multiple lighting system units, a portion of a lighting systemunit, or any number and arrangement of light emitters.

The lighting system may further include a connector 150, wherein theconnector 150 functions to communicatively connect (e.g. transfer data),mechanically connect, and/or electrically connect (e.g., transfer power)the lighting system unit to additional lighting system units, powersources, controllers/control modules, wireless communicationmechanism(s), remote computing system(s), mobile devices, and/or anyother suitable components. The connector 150 is preferably located alonga coupling interface of the lighting system unit (e.g. as shown in FIG.2), but can alternatively be located at any suitable portion of thelighting system unit. The coupling interface can be arranged along anedge of the housing (e.g., along a first and second opposing side, alongall sides, etc.), the first face, the second face, along or proximal anedge or corner of the lighting system unit, or along any suitableportion of the lighting system unit. In one example, the lighting systemunit includes two connectors 150, one at each opposing side of thelighting system unit, to enable bidirectional and modular connection toadditional lighting system units. Alternatively, the lighting systemunit may include one or more connectors 150 at every side to enablecomplete two-dimensional, or even three-dimensional, modularity. Forexample, each rectangular lighting system unit can include at least oneconnector 150 on every side, which enables the lighting system unit toconnect to at least four other lighting system units, one per side. Inone variation, the connectors 150 are located at the centers of thesides of the lighting system unit, to enable a flush mating of connectedmodular pieces. However, the lighting system unit can include anysuitable number of connectors 150, arranged along any suitable surface(e.g., side, broad face, edge, corner, etc.). The connector 150 can be amechanical connector 150 (e.g., mechanically connect lighting systemunits and/or other portions of the system), such as a set of magnets,clips, adhesive(s), or any other suitable mechanical connector 150. Theconnector 150 can be sexed (e.g., male, female), sexless, part of acomplimentary pair (e.g., one of a magnetic connector pair thatcooperatively generates an attractive force), or otherwise configured.The connector 150 can additionally or alternatively be a data connector(e.g., communicably connect lighting system units and/or other portionsof the system), which can include exposed flush-mounted metalliccontacts, male/female data cabling, wireless connectivity (e.g., Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, cellular, other short- and/or long-range communicationsystems, etc.), or any other suitable communication system. In onevariation, the lighting system unit has multiple types of connectors150. In one example, a first type of connector 150 (e.g. a magnet) isused to connect lighting system units together, and a second type ofconnector 150 (e.g. an adhesive) is used to connect a lighting systemunit to another surface (e.g. a wall) (e.g. as shown in FIG. 1i ). Inanother variation, a mechanical connector 150 (e.g. a rod) is used toconnect lighting system units together, and an electrical connector 150(e.g. a cable) is used to connect a lighting system unit or a lightingsystem to a power supply. In some variations, the connector 150 isfemale connector 150 (e.g. a port), a male connector 150 (e.g. a plug),or a combination of both male and female connectors 150 (e.g. USB portand USB plug). In these variants, each lighting system unit ispreferably substantially identical (e.g., within manufacturingtolerances), wherein a first side includes the first connector of acomplimentary pair (e.g., male connector) and the opposing side includesthe second connector of the complimentary pair (e.g., female connector).However, the lighting system units can be otherwise configured.Preferably, the connector allows for variable, non-zero spacing betweenlighting system units. In one example, the connector 150 includes USB-Cports disposed along the edges of a lighting system unit along with adouble-ended USB-C cable, which fits into the USB-C ports, and serves toconnect two lighting system units together with a spacing determined bythe length of the cable. In some variations, the connector 150 (e.g.cable) has a variable length.

The lighting system can optionally include an input element, whichfunctions to receive data and/or instructions pertaining to theoperation of the controllable dynamic lighting system. In one variation,the lighting system further includes a touch-sensitive surface 132,which functions to receive tactile input, preferably from a user.Preferably, each lighting system unit in a lighting system has its owntouch-sensitive surface 132; alternatively, each lighting system unitmay have multiple touch-sensitive surfaces 132, or a singletouch-sensitive surface 132 may cover multiple lighting system units, asingle lighting system unit of a multi-unit system, a portion of alighting system unit, or any number and arrangement of light emitters.Preferably, the touch-sensitive surface 132 of a light-emitting unitoverlays the entire projection of the light emitters onto the firstface. Alternatively, the touch-sensitive surface 132 may overlay someportion (e.g., less than 100%, less than 50%, less than 10%, etc.), ornone of that projection. In one variation, the touch-sensitive surface132 is mounted on the housing, preferably on the first face butalternatively on a housing side or along any other suitable portion ofthe housing or unit. The touch-sensitive surface 132 is preferablyoverlaid over the first face (e.g., distal the light emitters), but canalternatively be integrated into the first face (e.g., wherein the firstface is capacitive or resistive), line the first face interior (e.g.,proximal the light emitters), or be otherwise mounted to the housing.Alternatively, any portion of the lighting system, the housing, or anyadditional housing, may include a touch-sensitive surface 132.Preferably, the touch-sensitive surface 132 is a touch screen panel.Alternatively, the touch-sensitive surface 132 may be a button, a bevel,a frame, a touch pad, or any other element or combination of elementswhich receives tactile input. Preferably, the touch-sensitive surface132 uses capacitive technology for tactile detection, but canalternatively use resistive technology. Alternatively, thetouch-sensitive surface 132 may use infrared, capacitive, surfaceacoustic wave (SAW), or any other technology for tactile detection. Insome variations, the touch-sensitive surface 132 includes its owncontrol module, wherein the touch control module can be communicativelyconnected to the lighting system unit control module or to any othersuitable endpoint. In one variation, the tactile cues received by thetouch-sensitive surface 132 are from a user, preferably applied with afinger. These inputs could include such things as a tap, a swipe, adragging motion, or any other suitable set of input gestures. The inputscan be received at one or more lighting system units, contemporaneouslyor asynchronously. In one example, the touch-sensitive surface 132receives a series of finger swipes, simulating the strokes of apaintbrush, wherein the series of finger swipes is assigned as a regionselection within a lighting system unit. In another example, a tap onthe touch-sensitive surface 132 is assigned as a color selection,wherein the color selection is based on the color assignment of thecontrollable zone closest to the location of the tap.

Input elements can additionally or alternatively include: a mouse, akeyboard, a motion sensor, a microphone, a biometric input, a camera, abutton, an accelerometer or inertial measurement unit (IMU), agyroscope, a temperature sensor, a data communication system (e.g,Wi-Fi), or any other suitable input. In one example, a voice-activatedhousehold speaker serves as an input element to the lighting system,wherein the voice-activated household speaker receives verbal commandsfrom a user (e.g. ‘change the first controllable zone to the coloryellow’) and communicates the verbal commands to a control moduleassociated with the lighting system. Each lighting system unitpreferably includes at least one input element, but alternatively therecan be a single input element (or user interface) for the lightingsystem, multiple inputs per lighting system unit, or any other suitablenumber of inputs. In a specific example, the lighting system unitincludes a touchscreen overlaid over a broad face (e.g., active face,light-emitting face, etc.) of the lighting system unit. However, theinput elements can be otherwise arranged.

The lighting system can optionally include an output element, whichfunctions to transmit, present, display, or otherwise communicate datapertaining to the operation of the controllable dynamic lighting system.Output elements can include: displays (e.g., LED display, OLED display,LCD, etc.), audio speakers, lights (e.g., LEDs), tactile outputs (e.g.,a tixel system, vibratory motors, etc.), a data communication system(e.g., the WiFi radio), or any other suitable output element. In onevariation, an application on a user device 160 (e.g. tablet), or theuser device 160 itself, serves as an output element of the lightingsystem. this application on a user device can additionally oralternatively serve as an input element. Each lighting system unitpreferably includes at least one output element, but alternatively caninclude multiple output elements, a single output element for thelighting system as a whole, or any other suitable number of outputelements.

The system is optionally operated and/or controlled by and/or incooperation with a client (client application). The client preferablyruns on a user device 160 (e.g. mobile device), but can alternativelyrun on any other suitable computing system. The client can be a nativeapplication, a browser application, an operating system application, orbe any other suitable application or executable. The client can performall or a portion of the processes discussed below.

Examples of the user device 160 include a tablet, smartphone, mobilephone, laptop, watch, wearable device (e.g., glasses), or any othersuitable user device. The user device 160 can include power storage(e.g., a battery), processing systems (e.g., CPU, GPU, memory, etc.),user outputs (e.g., display, speaker, vibration mechanism, etc.), userinputs (e.g., a keyboard, touchscreen, microphone, etc.), a locationsystem (e.g., a GPS system), sensors (e.g., optical sensors, such aslight sensors and cameras, orientation sensors, such as accelerometers,gyroscopes, and altimeters, audio sensors, such as microphones, etc.),data communication system (e.g., a Wi-Fi module, BLE, cellular module,etc.), the system disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/501,699filed 3 Feb. 2017 incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference,or any other suitable component.

The controllable dynamic lighting system can additionally include acommunication system (or subsystem). The communication system canfunction to send and/or receive data to and/or from one or moreendpoints. The endpoints can include: remote computing systems (e.g.,servers), user device(s), secondary controllable dynamic lightingsystem(s), appliance(s) (e.g., TVs, stereos, etc.), secondary sensors(e.g., motion sensors, cameras, etc.), auxiliary sensors (e.g.,temperature sensors, light sensors, proximity sensors, motion sensors,such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, etc.), the controlling mean(s) ofthe lighting system (e.g., lighting element device controller, lightingsystem unit controller, etc.), or any other suitable set of endpoints.The data can include operation data (e.g., operation parameters for eachcontrollable zone, light emitting unit, etc.), configuration data, orany other suitable data. The communication system can include one ormore radios or any other suitable component. The communication systemcan be a long-range communication system, a short-range communicationsystem, or any other suitable communication system. The communicationsystem can facilitate wired and/or wireless communication. Thecommunication system is preferably electrically connected to the controlmodule of the lighting system and/or lighting system unit, but can bewirelessly connected or otherwise connected to the control module. Inone example, the communication system is collocated with and connectedto the control module for the lighting element device, which can bearranged in the same or different housing as the lighting system unit.In a second example, each lighting system unit includes a communicationsystem. Examples of the communication system include: 802.11x, Wi-Fi,Wi-Max, WLAN, NFC, RFID, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE longrange, ZigBee, cellular telecommunications (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE,etc.), radio (RF), microwave, IR, audio, optical, wired connection(e.g., USB), or any other suitable communication module or combinationthereof.

The controllable dynamic lighting system can optionally include sensors.Sensors can include: cameras (e.g., visual range, multispectral,hyperspectral, IR, stereoscopic, etc.), orientation sensors (e.g.,accelerometers, gyroscopes, altimeters), acoustic sensors (e.g.,microphones), optical sensors (e.g., photodiodes, etc.), temperaturesensors, pressure sensors, flow sensors, vibration sensors, proximitysensors, chemical sensors, electromagnetic sensors, force sensors, smokesensors (e.g. smoke detector), or any other suitable type of sensor. Thesensors can be modular components connectable to the lighting systemunit, be integrated into the lighting system unit (e.g., wherein eachlighting system unit includes one or more sensors), or be otherwiseassociated with the controllable dynamic lighting system. In oneexample, the lighting system unit further includes a smoke sensor,wherein the smoke sensor activates the light emitters to projectflashing red light in the event of a fire.

The controllable dynamic lighting system can optionally include a powersupply. The power supply can be a wired connection, wireless connection(e.g., inductive charger, RFID charging, etc.), a battery (e.g.,secondary or rechargeable battery, primary battery, etc.), energyharvesting system (e.g., solar cells, piezoelectric systems,pyroelectrics, thermoelectrics, etc.), or any other suitable system.Power can additionally or alternatively be supplied by AC wall power.The power supply can be modular components connectable to the lightingsystem unit, be integrated into the lighting system unit (e.g., whereineach lighting system unit includes one or more power supplies), or beotherwise associated with the controllable dynamic lighting system.

In variations including location data and/or location information, thesystem (and/or portions thereof) can include a location system (orlocating mechanism). The location system can include a GPS unit, a GNSSunit, a triangulation unit that triangulates the device location betweenmobile phone towers and public masts (e.g., assistive GPS), a Wi-Ficonnection location unit, a WHOIS unit (e.g., performed on IP address orMAC address), a GSM/CDMA cell identifier, a self-reporting locationinformation, or any other suitable location module or subsystem.

2. Method

The method for controlling a lighting system functions to enabledynamic, flexible, interactive, and/or responsive control of a lightingsystem. As shown in FIG. 5, the method includes: receiving lightingsystem operation inputs S110, determining operation instructions for onemore controllable zones based on the operation inputs S120, andcontrolling controllable zone operation based on the respectiveoperation instructions S130.

The method is preferably performed by, using, and/or in cooperation withthe controllable dynamic lighting system described above. However, themethod can alternatively be performed using any other suitablecontrollable lighting system, such as that disclosed in U.S. applicationSer. No. 15/458,212 filed 14 Mar. 2017, which is incorporated herein inits entirety by this reference. Additionally or alternatively, themethod can be performed with a user device, a remote computing system(e.g., a server), or any other suitable computing system.

The method is preferably performed in real time, but can additionally oralternatively be performed in near (substantially) real time,asynchronously, upon activation by a trigger (e.g., after a user pressesa “play” button, a user walks into a room associated with the lightingsystem, etc.), a combination of the aforementioned, or with any othersuitable temporal characteristics.

Receiving lighting system operation inputs Silo functions to determinethe light properties of the lighting system. Preferably, the lightingsystem receives a region selection (e.g. as shown in FIG. 6), wherein aregion selection includes one or more controllable zones in a lightingsystem. The region selection can be received from any suitable device,such as a touch-sensitive surface, an application on a user device, orany other element. In one variation, the region selection is received bya control module associated with a light emitting unit; alternatively,the region selection can be received by any suitable control moduleassociated with the lighting system. In one example, the regionselection is received from a remote computing system (e.g., manufacturerserver system, third-party server, etc.).

In one variation, the lighting system receives a color selection,wherein the color selection specifies a color value of the light emittedby the light emitters within the region selection. Preferably the colorselection includes a color hue; additionally or alternatively, the colorselection specifies other properties of the light emitted by the lightemitters, such as intensity, saturation, etc. In one variation, thecolor selection is chosen by a user. Alternatively, the color selectionmay be determined through artificial intelligence, received from adatabase, determined based on the output of a sensor, calculated,selected from a table, or determined in any other way. The colorselection can be received from any suitable device, such as atouch-sensitive surface, an application on a user device, or any otherelement. In one variation, the color selection is received by a controlmodule associated with a light emitting unit; alternatively, the controlselection can be received by any suitable control module associated withthe lighting system. In one example, the control selection is receivedfrom a remote computing system. In one variation, the region selectionand the color selection are received from the same source. For example,the region selection and color selection may both be received from acontrol module associated with a touch-sensitive surface. Alternatively,the region selection and the color selection may be received fromdifferent sources. For example, the region selection may be received acontrol module associated with a touch-sensitive surface, while thecolor selection is received from an application on a user deviceseparate from the touch-sensitive surface.

Determining operation instructions for one or more controllable zonesbased on the operation inputs S120 functions to translate inputs to thelighting system into actionable commands to be performed by the lightingsystem. Preferably, S120 is performed using a virtual representation ofthe lighting system. Alternatively, S120 may be performed in anysuitable way. The operation instructions can be: calculated, selected(e.g., from a list or predetermined library), estimated, translated, orotherwise determined based on the operation inputs.

The method may further include determining a virtual representation ofthe lighting system (e.g. FIG. 7), wherein the virtual representationfunctions to enable a mapping to be made between inputs and the lightingelements to which those inputs will be applied. The virtualrepresentation of the lighting system preferably includes a set ofindices, wherein the set of indices preferably identifies a set ofcontrollable lighting elements in the lighting system, such as a set ofcontrollable zones. The controllable zone is preferably the set ofphysical light emitting units within a lighting system unit, but canadditionally or alternatively be a virtual representation of said set ofphysical light emitting units. The indices for the controllable zonescan be determined as discussed above, but can be otherwise determined.Alternatively, any other single-indexing scheme, double-indexing scheme,other indexing scheme, or combination of indexing schemes may be used inthe method. Preferably, the indexing scheme is predetermined (e.g.,stored by the lighting system, a remote computing system, the client,etc.), and the indexing scheme is stored in a control module.Alternatively, the indexing scheme may be dynamically determined. In oneexample, each time a new light emitting unit is added in a modularsystem, a new or expanded-upon indexing scheme is determined.Alternatively, the indexing scheme may be determined by a user, ordetermined in any other way. In some variations, the virtualrepresentation includes a virtual input region, wherein the virtualinput region functions to provide input options to a user, preferablythrough a display (e.g. as shown in FIG. 9).

Preferably, the virtual input region functions to display, at a userdevice, a graphical representation of various control input optionsavailable to the user, such as, but not limited to, one or both of theregion selection and the color selection. Rendering the virtual inputregion is preferably performed by a client application (e.g., nativeapplication, web application, etc.) operating on a user device (e.g.,smartphone, cell phone, etc.), but can alternatively be performed by anysuitable application operating on any suitable computing system. In onevariation, rendering the virtual input region is performed by a controlmodule associated with a touch-sensitive surface of the lighting system,and displayed by a set of light emitters located distal to thetouch-sensitive surface. A virtual input region preferably includes aplurality of predefined control regions (e.g. controllable zones), eachrendered in an ordered fashion at a display of the user device; however,the virtual input region can alternatively include a single predefinedcontrol region, a plurality of dynamically defined (i.e., notpredefined) control regions, or any other suitable control regions. Thecontrol regions are preferably each of similar size (e.g., physicalextent) and shape, but can alternatively include different size(s)and/or shape(s). The control regions of the virtual input region arepreferably separate and distinct regions, but can alternatively overlap.The control regions (and/or other regions of the virtual input region)can be represented, for example, by a pixel or set of pixels of thedisplay, a tixel (i.e., touch pixel) or set of tixels of thetouch-sensitive display, a touchscreen unit, or any other suitablescreen region.

Each control region of the virtual input region can be associated with aset of controllable zones on the physical controllable dynamic lightingsystem, wherein the control region's lighting system parameters aredisplayed on the corresponding controllable zone of the controllabledynamic lighting system. The association between the control region andthe controllable zones can be predetermined (e.g., pre-mapped,automatically mapped based on the number of controllable zones in theoverall controllable dynamic lighting system), dynamically determined,or otherwise determined. The association can be determined in real-time(e.g., as inputs are received), predetermined (e.g., in response to userdevice connection to the controllable dynamic lighting system, retrievedfrom a remote computing system, etc.), or determined at any suitabletime and/or in response to occurrence of any other suitable event. Theassociation can be determined by the user device, a controllable dynamiclighting system control module, a lighting system unit control module(e.g., wherein the lighting system unit receives lighting parameters forthe virtual input segment corresponding to the lighting system unit,wherein the lighting system unit subdivides the virtual input segmentinto individual controllable zones, etc.), or by any other suitablesystem.

In a first variation, rendering the virtual input region can includerendering a default graphical representation (e.g., a bar). In thisvariation, the operation inputs can be: scaled based on the number andconfiguration of the lighting system units within the lighting elementdevice; isolated to a lighting system unit having similar dimensions orother properties to the default representation; or otherwise managed. Ina related variation, a graphical representation of a distribution (e.g.,physical distribution and/or arrangement) of lighting system units ofthe lighting system can be determined, and rendered. In another relatedvariation, a graphical representation of a number of lighting systemunits can be determined and rendered.

In a second variation, determining the virtual input region can includereceiving data from the connected lighting system. In a first example,received data can include a schematic layout transmitted from one ormore lighting system units, which is then rendered at the display. In asecond example, the data can include the lighting system unitidentifiers and sensor data (e.g., individual lighting system unitproximity to a second lighting system unit within the connected lightingsystem), wherein the lighting system unit form factors can be determinedfrom the identifiers and the relative orientation of different lightingsystem units within the connected lighting system can be determined fromthe sensor data. The data can be collected by the user device, aconnected lighting system control module, the lighting system unitcontrol module(s), or from any other suitable system. In a thirdexample, the client application can connect to several smart devices,and a “handshake” between the client and each device can include typedata (e.g., what type of device, such as a light strip, a light panel,an input-enabled light system unit, etc.) that is then used to rendergraphical abstractions of each device type at the display of the userdevice in the virtual input region. In a second variation, determiningthe virtual input region can include receiving a user input (indicativeof connected lighting system parameters) at the client application. Theuser input can be a user selection from a menu of selectable connecteddevices, a previously saved user profile which includes deviceinformation, or any other suitable user input, and used to determine thevirtual input region. In a third variation, the virtual input region canbe dynamically calculated from a combination of parameters received fromthe user at the user device (e.g., at the client application) andparameters/data received from elements of the connected lighting system.

Schematic layouts of the lighting element device (e.g., graphicalrepresentations) can be stored within the client application, within acontrol module (e.g., a local control module, a master control module,etc.), at a remote computing system (e.g., server system), or a similarsuitable computing system. The schematic layout can be associated with auser profile, wherein the user profile is retrieved from the clientapplication, the user device, a remote server 170, or any other suitableendpoint. The schematic layout can be received from connected elementsof the lighting system and/or other devices, which possess informationregarding their relative arrangement and/or orientation and report thisinformation to the client application upon being queried. Such devicescan be connected to the user device and/or client application by way ofBluetooth, by connecting to the same local area network (e.g., Wi-Finetwork, mesh network), or by way of any other suitable wireless/wiredconnection. Additionally or alternatively, the schematic layout can beinput manually by the user (e.g., by dragging graphical representationsof components into a specific layout at a touch-sensitive display) orsemi-manually, such as from a selectable list of connected/paireddevices. Additionally or alternatively, schematic layouts can beautomatically determined. Schematic layouts can be stored prior,subsequently, or simultaneously to being received.

In some variations of the method, the method further includes receivingan input at the virtual input region, which functions to accept inputinstruction(s) from an entity (e.g., the user) at the user device, foruse in subsequent blocks and/or subprocesses. This can include selectinga color or color parameter (e.g., hue, saturation, intensity, etc.) froma set of displayed colors or color parameters. For example, this caninclude dragging a color swatch from a set of color swatches (displayedat the virtual input region) onto a control region of the graphicalrepresentation of the lighting system. In another example, a color isselected and then ‘painted’ over a spatial area on the virtual inputregion. Inputs can be received via touch, voice, conventional computercontrol inputs (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, etc.), or by any other suitableinputs.

Receiving an input at the virtual input region can include displayingcontrol options. Displaying control options functions to display thevarious options for controlling the system to the user. Control optionscan include color data, such as swatches of color hues, brightnessand/or saturation gradient sliders/selectors, a color selection wheel,or any other suitable color data to be used as control options. Controloptions can also include physical position data, such as the physicalregions to be controlled. Control options are preferably displayed witha linear relationship between control regions (at the virtual inputregion) and controllable zones (at the physical lighting system), butcan alternatively be displayed with a nonlinear relationship, or anyother suitable functional relationship between the control regions andthe controllable zones. There is preferably a 1:1 correspondence betweencontrol regions and controllable zones, but the system can alternativelyhave any suitable correspondence. Further options for presenting andreceiving color options are demonstrated in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/782,866, filed 7 Oct. 2015, which is incorporated in its entiretyby this reference.

Control data can also include a set of “scenes”, which are preset and/orpredefined combinations of colors, gradients, and other parameters.These scenes can be manually set by the user as combinations of othercontrol inputs, and then saved into retrievable scenes, which can bereapplied (e.g., to the lighting system, other lighting systems with thesame layout or different layouts). When the executing lighting systemhas a different layout from the scene's layout, the scene parameters(e.g., color, region mapping, etc.) can be scaled (e.g., up or down),randomly adjusted or reassigned, sampled (e.g., based on lighting systemsensor signals, user preferences, randomly, etc.), or otherwisereconfigured to fit the executing lighting system's configuration.Scenes can be associated with activities, such as reading, watchingtelevision, dining, art showcases, or any other suitable register ofoperation context. Each activity can correspond to specificconfigurations and/or combinations of light parameters and colorsettings. Color data can also include action data, which can includeanimations (e.g., turning lights on and off, twinkling lights, smoothcolor shifting, etc.) and/or scheduling (e.g., certain light or colorbehaviors can be scheduled to occur at certain times, such asred-shifting the ambient light at night time). Preferably, the timing,speed, and other parameters of the animations are determined based onthe layout information for the system. In one variation, for instance,the spacing between lighting system units is used to coordinate spatialanimation between physically separated lighting system units (e.g.,designate an offset time, wherein the offset time specifies how muchtime passes from when the last activated controllable zone(s) on a firstlighting system unit experience a color change to when the firstactivated controllable zone(s) on an adjacent lighting system unitexperience a color change). The effect of the offset time, in oneexample, allows the negative space between the lighting system units toeffectively be included in the animation. In another variation, thedirectionality of the color change in a modular lighting system isdetermined by the arrangement of lighting system units. For example, ifthe lighting system units are arranged in a vertical column, the colorchange pattern might progress from the top lighting system unit to thebottom one, or vice versa. Alternatively, if the lighting system unitsare arranged in a horizontal row, the color change pattern might insteadprogress from the leftmost lighting system unit to the rightmost.Alternatively, the user may prescribe a directionality, timing sequence,or other parameter for the lighting system. In one variation, a lightingsystem unit having an input element (e.g. accelerometer) detects a usertouch input (e.g. tap) on the lighting system unit; the control moduleof this lighting system unit then prescribes an animation pattern (e.g.a ripple) to propagate among the other lighting system units in apredetermined sequence. In one example, the lighting system unit thatreceives the user touch input is associated with the master controlmodule, but alternatively, any lighting system unit associated with anycontrol module can receive the user touch input and control itspropagation among the other lighting system units.

In one variation, an animation in the lighting system is represented ina predetermined, discrete number of temporally-spaced frames (e.g., 15frames, each separated by an equal or unequal temporal duration, whereinthe separation duration can be predetermined, determined based on thespatial variance between sequential frames, or otherwise determined),which are transmitted to the control module of a lighting system unit tobe reconstructed into a smooth animation (e.g., wherein interstitialframes are interpolated, extrapolated, or otherwise generated by thelighting system unit's control module, the main control module, etc.),an example of which is shown in FIG. 20. However, the animation can berepresented by an equation, a series of frames fully representing theanimation, or otherwise represented. The frames (e.g., color assignmentsof the controllable zones in each frame) can be determined by or passedthrough a cloud-based server, a user device, or any other suitablecomputing system. In one variation, each of the frames is areduced-resolution representation of a lighting system unit (e.g., an8×8 frame), wherein the lighting system can scale the representation(e.g., through interpolation, extrapolation, etc.) to substantiallymatch the lighting system dimensions. Alternatively, the frame can be afull-resolution representation (e.g., include as many pixels or units asthe lighting system has controllable zones), or be any other suitablerepresentation of the animation.

Light emitting units of the lighting system can optionally includesecondary user interface(s) that communicate user inputs to the clientapplication. Accordingly, the client application can dynamically updatethe virtual input region to reflect the state of the light emittingunits (e.g., the color state, intensity state, etc.). In a specificexample, the light emitting unit includes a user input, such as atouch-sensitive interface (e.g., a capacitive touch screen) or anysuitable input discussed above, that allows a user to input color datathrough a touch input. Upon receiving a user input at the touchsensitive interface, the lighting system transmits the user input to theclient application or other control system, which dynamically updatesthe virtual input region to reflect the color data input by the user atthe light emitting unit.

Generating a virtual representation of the lighting system based on theinput functions to represent the effect of the input on the lightingsystem to the user. This is preferably performed in real time or nearreal time, as well as automatically in response to the receipt of theinput at the virtual input region. However, it can alternatively beperformed asynchronously in time, and/or in response to a trigger (e.g.,upon receipt of a command to “update” the virtual representation). Thevirtual representation of the lighting system can be the virtual inputregion, including the input parameters (e.g., the input color at theinput position). Additionally or alternatively, the virtualrepresentation can be distinct from the virtual input region.

Rendering the virtual input region can optionally include determiningthe virtual input region and rendering the determined input region onthe input device (e.g., user device). The virtual input region caninclude a set of control options (e.g., color parameters) (e.g. as shownin FIG. 13), a graphical representation of the lighting system (e.g. asshown in FIG. 14), and/or any other suitable information. The graphicalrepresentation can include a number and/or relative arrangement of theconstituent lighting system units, a virtual representation of a singlelighting system unit of the lighting system, an abstraction of thelighting system (e.g., a strip, bar, etc.), or any other suitablerepresentation. The graphical representation preferably includes a setof input zones, each corresponding to a controllable zone within thelighting element device. However, an input zone can be mapped tomultiple controllable zones, a portion of a controllable zone, overlap afirst and second controllable zone, or be otherwise related to thecontrollable zones.

The input region and/or parameters thereof (e.g., location on the inputdevice, displayed information, etc.) can be predetermined, determinedbased on configuration data, determined by a user, or be otherwisedetermined. The input region is preferably updated (e.g., re-determinedand re-rendered) as the operation parameters and/or distribution orarrangement of lighting elements within the system is adjusted (e.g.,lighting system units are added/removed from the lighting system), inresponse to receipt of a manually entered update instruction, or at anyother suitable time. Preferably, such updating is performed in real timeor near real time, but can alternatively be performed in asynchronously.For example, the input region can be adjusted in near-real time toreflect: the number lighting system units cooperatively forming thecontrollable dynamic lighting system; configuration data, such as thephysical layout (e.g., position, orientation, etc.) of lighting systemunits within the controllable dynamic lighting system (e.g., asdetermined based on RSSI, force sensors within the lighting systemunits, which connectors are being used and the corresponding lightingsystem unit face, etc.); or to reflect any other suitable systemparameter. Alternatively, the input region may be determined atpredetermined intervals and/or asynchronously, or in any other suitablemanner with respect to temporal behavior.

Determining the configuration information of the lighting systempreferably includes determining the number of lighting system units in amodular lighting system. Configuration information can include thephysical arrangement of the lighting system units (e.g., schematiclayout, physical layout, relative layout, etc.), the geographic locationof the lighting system units, the connectivity of lighting systemelements in relation to one another, or any other suitable data relatedto the arrangement of the lighting system. Configuration information canadditionally or alternatively include any data related to the lightingsystem, including: number of lighting system elements, the state of thelighting system (e.g., the illumination intensity, color/hue, on/offstate, etc., of light emitting units of the lighting system), or anyother suitable data. The configuration data can be received from anauxiliary device, received from the lighting system unit, automaticallygenerated (e.g., based on contextual data), or otherwise determined.

In one variation, the number and/or layout of lighting system units ispreferably determined through current-sensing methods, wherein a currentvalue (e.g. current draw, change in current, etc.) is measured during asequential powering of controllable units in the lighting system,wherein the current value measurement can be correlated to a number ofcontrollable units (e.g. controllable zones, light emitting units,etc.). In one example of this variation shown in FIG. 18, the methodfurther includes any or all of the following steps: sending a series ofinput pulses (e.g. voltage, current, light, etc.) to the lighting systemunit(s), measuring a current value after each input pulse is applied,determining a number of controllable units based on the current values,and repeating any or all of the previous steps until no current isdrawn. Alternatively, a power value (e.g. power draw), voltage value,resistance value, any other value, or any combination of values ismeasured during the determination of number of lighting system units.Additionally or alternatively, the method for determining the number oflighting system units may include any or all of the following steps:powering the entire lighting system, determining a power value (e.g.power draw, current, voltage) or a change in the power value,correlating the power value or the change in the power value with anumber of controllable units. Additionally or alternatively, the numberof controllable units may be determined with the use of a central databus (e.g. a 2-way data bus), wherein the controllable units notify acontrol module through a central data bus that they are connected toanother controllable unit (e.g., wherein the connection and/or number ofdownstream lighting system units can be determined using thecurrent-sensing methods, connection detection methods, or any othersuitable method). In a third variation, determining the physical layoutof the lighting system includes determining the physical arrangement oflighting system units (e.g., spatial separation between lighting systemunits), or any other lighting system elements, in a modular lightingsystem. In second variation, this is done through a resistance-basedmethod, wherein a resistance value is measured at each end of aconnector, wherein the connector connects two lighting system unitstogether, wherein the resistance values are used to determine a lengthof the connector. Alternatively, the length of the connector betweenlight emitting units may be predetermined and stored in a controlmodule, wherein a connector identifier (e.g., connector port,transmitted connector identifier, etc.) can be used to retrieve theconnector length. Further alternatively, the signal strength ofcommunication between a light emitting unit and a central data bus maybe assessed to determine a distance between lighting system units. In athird variation, determining the physical layout may involve receiving atransmitted physical layout. Determining the physical layout canadditionally or alternatively include using video and/or image captureof the layout (e.g., via a client application running on a user device)using image-based object recognition techniques to identify individuallighting system units and their relative positions (e.g., based onlighting-system-unit-specific emitted light properties such as color,brightness, physical packaging shape, visible and/or invisible lightmodulation signatures, etc.). In one example, a physical layout of alighting system is determined through an image (e.g. taken on a userdevice), wherein the known dimensions of a light emitting unit or otherelement in the lighting system are used to determine the distancebetween lighting system units. In a fourth variation, lighting systemunits can include directional lighting sensors configured to detect thelight properties (e.g., color, brightness, temporal modulation, etc.) ofproximal (e.g., adjacent, nearby, neighboring, etc.) lighting systemunits to enable collection of geospatial and/or identifying informationabout the proximal lighting system units (e.g., location, direction,distance, lighting system unit type, identity, etc.). In a fifthvariation, the number and/or layout of the lighting system units ismanually entered (e.g., wherein a user drags and drops virtualrepresentations of the lighting system units or otherwise enters thelayout information). Alternatively, the physical and/or spatial layoutof the lighting system can be determined by any other suitable means.

Generating control instructions based on the input functions totranslate the input, which can include multiple input parameters, into adesired action that the lighting system can be directed (e.g.,controlled) to perform. Generating control instructions based on theinput can also function to transform the relative position of an inputat the virtual representation and/or control region of the virtual inputregion into a physical position of a light emitter of a light emittingunit (e.g., mapping), to provide spatially-resolved lighting control ofthe lighting system by the client application. The control instructionscan be generated by the application (e.g., client), a remote server 170,the lighting system, and/or elements of the lighting system (e.g., thelighting system unit). Control instructions can include color selectionsettings for the light emitting unit, color selection settings of thelighting system unit, color selection settings for the lighting systemor color selection settings for any suitable portion(s) of the lightingsystem. Color selection settings can include any one or combination of:hue, intensity, saturation, gradient, color temperature, brightness, orany other suitable setting. The control instructions are preferablygenerated by mapping the input parameter values to lighting systemparameter values, but can additionally or alternatively includecomputing, transmitting, interpreting, or any other suitabletransmutation of an input into control instructions. Mapping the inputparameter values to lighting system parameter values can includedetermining a map (or a mapping), and applying the determined map to thereceived input to produce the control instructions. However, the inputscan be otherwise mapped to lighting system parameters.

Determining a mapping functions to determine the correspondence betweenvirtual positions at the virtual input region and/or virtualrepresentation of the lighting system to physical positions of lightemitters of the lighting system. A map preferably relates predefinedcontrol regions of the virtual input region to predefined zones of thelight emitting unit(s); such a map is preferably 1:1, but canalternatively be any suitable mapping. Additionally or alternatively,the mapping may be scaled (e.g., one control region maps to multiplezones of the light emitting unit) or calculated (i.e., not necessarilypredefined); for example, the mapping between the control regions andthe zones can be calculated (computed) based on what devices areconnected to the client application. Determining can include retrieving(e.g., from a user device, a cloud server, a lighting system, a lightsystem unit, etc.). Determining the mapping can additionally oralternatively include generating the mapping; for example, by “pinging”surroundings to locate and/or identify available devices and dynamicallyadjusting the map based on what devices are available and/or connected.In one variation, the mapping is an indexing scheme, such as thatdiscussed above.

For modular lighting systems having more than one lighting system unit,the mapping between the graphical representation and the physical layoutcan update dynamically as additional lighting system units arephysically and/or communicatively coupled to the lighting system. Thegraphical representation can stay substantially similar (e.g., occupythe same physical extent at the virtual input region) but represent anincreasing amount of physical space as units are added; alternatively,the graphical representation can increase in extent or otherwise changeshape as additional lighting system units are added.

In one variation, determining the mapping includes grouping portions ofthe lighting system into zones. When the lighting system includesmultiple lighting system units, each lighting system unit can be groupedinto a zone and thus controlled independently. Zones can additionally oralternatively be grouped at the light emitting unit of a lighting systemunit; for example, if the light emitting unit includes a plurality oflight emitters, the plurality of light emitters can be subdivided(grouped) into controllable zones. Additionally or alternatively, anyother suitable grouping of light emitters among the total collection oflight emitting units, lighting system units, and the lighting system canbe included in determining the map. Grouping is preferably performed bythe user at a client application; for example, a user can group controlregions together at the virtual input region (e.g., by encircling themusing a touch gesture), which dynamically updates the mapping betweencontrol regions and physical regions of the lighting system based on thegrouping. In another specific example, the beginning and end of a usertouch gesture at the virtual input region (e.g., at the graphicalrepresentation of the system) sets the limits of a control region.Determining the mapping in this specific example then further includesdetermining which light emitters and/or light emitting units are locatedwithin the control region thus defined, and then mapping the controlregion to the determined light emitters and/or light emitting units.

In a specific example, determining the mapping can include adjusting thelight emitter color settings to emulate a continuous gradient (asselected at the virtual input region and displayed at the graphicalrepresentation) using discrete light emitters (e.g., by dividing thecontinuous gradient into discrete control regions, each control regioncorresponding to a light emitter, and emitting light with propertiescorresponding to the average of the properties across the controlregion).

The method of the mapping preferably includes defining a regional set ofcontrollable zones (e.g. as shown in FIG. 4), wherein the regional setof controllable zones is defined to be the set of controllable zones towhich the regional selection has been mapped, based on any of themapping methods described previously. Alternatively, any other suitablemapping method may be used to determine the regional set of controllablezones. In one variation, the mapping method further includes a set ofthresholds, wherein the thresholds are used to determine whichcontrollable zones should assigned to the regional set of controllablezones, in the case that the region selection is mapped to only a portionof a certain controllable zone. For example, if less than 50% of thelight emitters in a controllable zone are mapped to the regionselection, that controllable zone may not be included in the regionalset of controllable zones.

The method can additionally or alternatively include assigning of acolor selection to a region selection, based on a mapping. Preferably,the color selection is assigned to all the light emitters in theregional set of controllable zones determined from the region selection.Alternatively, the color selection may be assigned to a subset of thelight emitters in a regional set of controllable zones, such as all thelight emitters forming the border of a controllable zone.

The method can additionally or alternatively include arbitratingconflicting instructions, wherein a color selection input is chosen froma set of color selection inputs. In one example, a first color selectioninput is received from one source (e.g. a touch screen), and a secondcolor selection input is received from a different source (e.g. anapplication on a mobile device). Alternatively, the color selectioninputs may be received from the same source. Preferably, the colorselection inputs are received at different times; alternatively, theymay be received at the same time. In the example, a single colorselection from the set of first and second color selections is chosen,based on which color selection was received later in time.Alternatively, any other selection process (e.g. which color selectionhas a lower intensity, which color selection was received from a touchscreen, etc.) may be used in the arbitration step. An arbitration stepmay similarly be used to choose a region selection, or any other form ofinput to the lighting system.

The method can additionally or alternatively include automaticallyadjusting color parameters assigned to (and displayed at) light emittingunits and light emitters thereof. Color parameters (color settings) thatcan be adjusted include hue, saturation, intensity, and other suitablecolor parameters. Color parameters can be adjusted based on the type oflighting system and/or lighting system unit, as well as the number oflighting system units of the lighting system. Color parameters canadditionally or alternatively be adjusted based on color parametersassigned to adjacent or associated virtual regions (e.g., asmoothly-varying color gradient can be added between user-selectedcolors along a linear virtual representation of the lighting system).Color parameters can additionally or alternatively be adjusted based ona “scene” selected at the virtual input region (e.g., selection of a“forest scene” can apply a green tint to the color settings of desiredlighting system units).

In a first variation, automatically adjusting color parameters caninclude color blending (e.g., color hue blending). Color blendingincludes automatically and/or algorithmically adding blending of a colorparameter (e.g., hue) to create aesthetically pleasing transitionsbetween user-selected (or otherwise generated) colors, either at thegraphical representation of the system, the lighting system, or both.Added color(s) can be automatically determined using the canonical colorwheel (e.g., yellow hues are added between green and red), or by anyother suitable manner. For example, if a red swatch is dragged by theuser into a green region of the graphical representation, yellow hueblending can be automatically added to either side of the red swatch.This can be performed solely at the graphical representation, solely atthe lighting system (via the mapping between the graphicalrepresentation and the lighting system), or both. In variations, theclient application renders an abstraction of the hue blending featureinstead of the hue blending itself (e.g., a displayed box titled “hueblending” is checked at the application to enable hue blending, but theblended hues are not visible in the graphical representation). The colorparameters can be blended using: an average (e.g., weighted average,wherein different color values or spatial positions have differentweights, wherein the weights are randomly determined, etc.), alogarithmic function, a learned equation (e.g., based on userpreferences and/or adjustments), or any other suitable blending method.

In one variation of color blending (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 15A-15D), acolor blending algorithm is implemented to perform any or all of thefollowing: identifying a first controllable zone having a first assignedcolor selection in a virtual representation, identifying a secondcontrollable zone having a second assigned color selection in thevirtual representation, determining an edge controllable zone in thevirtual representation, wherein the edge controllable zone is locatedbetween the first and second controllable zones when the firstcontrollable zone is non-adjacent with the second controllable zone andwherein the edge controllable zone is the second controllable zone whenthe first controllable zone is adjacent with the second controllablezone, and assigning a blended color selection to the virtualrepresentation of the edge controllable zone wherein the edge colorselection includes an averaged color hue between the first colorselection and the second color selection.

In a second variation of color blending (e.g. as shown in FIGS.16A-16D), a color blending algorithm is implemented to perform any orall of the following: select a first controllable zone having a firstassigned color selection in a virtual representation, select a secondcontrollable zone having a second assigned color selection in a virtualrepresentation, wherein the second controllable zone is located apredetermined number of controllable zones away from the firstcontrollable zone (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or any suitable number of zones awayfrom the first zone), and assigning a blended color selection to one ormore of the controllable zones between the first and second controllablezones in the virtual representation. Alternatively, the blended colorselection may be assigned to one or both of the first and secondcontrollable zones in the virtual representation. In further alternativevariations, the number of controllable zones separating the first andsecond controllable zones in the virtual representation is notpredetermined; in some variations, the number is dynamic (e.g., based onthe input speed, length, duration, etc.), based on user input, orotherwise determined. Preferably, the first and second controllablezones are arranged in the same row or other axis of the virtualrepresentation of a lighting system unit. Alternatively, the first andsecond controllable zones are arranged in the same column, in neitherthe same column nor the same row, in different lighting system units, indifferent lighting systems, or otherwise arranged.

Alternatively, any other method for blending colors in a lighting systemmay be used. In some variations, a light property other than color huemay be altered in the color blending process, such as, but not limitedto, saturation, intensity, tint, etc. In some variations, multiple lightproperties are adjusted during the color blending process. Preferably,the first controllable zone is the controllable zone having the lowestindex number in the lighting system. Alternatively, the firstcontrollable zone is the most recent controllable zone in the virtualrepresentation to have received a color selection. In some variations,the first controllable zone is a predetermined assignment in the virtualrepresentation. Alternatively, the user may select the firstcontrollable zone. Further alternatively, the first controllable zonemay be determined in any other way. In some variations, one or both ofthe first and second controllable zones are regional sets ofcontrollable zones. Alternatively, the first and second controllablezones are single light emitters, single lighting system units, othergroupings of light emitters, or any other set of lighting systemelements. Preferably, the averaged color hue is an exact average incolor hue between the first and second controllable zones.Alternatively, color thresholds may be incorporated into the colorblending algorithms, wherein the color thresholds specify how theaveraged color hue is determined. For example, the blended color maydetermined from the set of color selections using a weighted average, alogarithmic function, or any other function. In some variations, thereis a third controllable zone included in the color blending process.Alternatively, any number of controllable zones may be included. In somevariations, multiple color blending processes are performed, preferablywith a directionality, such as from left to right across a row of alighting system unit. In some variations, these multiple color blendingprocesses are performed in parallel, otherwise they may be performed inseries. In some variations, one series of blending process is performedhaving a first directionality and a second series of blending processesis performed having a second directionality. For example, one series ofblending processes may be performed from left to right across lightingsystem unit, while a second series of blending processes is performedfrom top to bottom. In some variations, these series are performedsequentially; alternatively, they may be performed at different times,or in any other way. In some variations, blending processes areperformed across a three-dimensional arrangement of controllable zones.

Controlling the lighting system based on the control instructions S130functions to actualize the desired behavior of the lighting system.Controlling can include turning “on” or “off” various portions of thelighting system, changing the emitted color properties of variousportions of the lighting system, animating the output light, or anyother suitable controllable features.

In a first variation, controlling the lighting system includescontrolling lighting elements based on the determined mapping betweenthe graphical representation and the physical layout. This can includecomputing the color to be displayed by each adjacent light emitter toaccurately represent the displayed graphical representation.

Controlling the lighting system can include maintaining a real-timecorrespondence between the input at the virtual input region and theoutput at the lighting system. Alternatively, the lighting system canmaintain no correspondence between the input at the virtual input regionand the output at the lighting system, maintain correspondence innon-real time, or in any other suitable manner. In one variation,real-time control of the lighting system is implemented with adouble-buffered zone animation protocol (e.g. as shown in FIG. 17),which functions to maximize animation smoothness and color changesynchronization. Double-buffered zone animation is preferablyimplemented during times of high network traffic and/or lag, whereinsome instructions in an incremental instruction set do not reach theassigned lighting system endpoint (e.g. control module), but canalternatively be implemented at any suitable time. Applying adouble-buffered zone animation protocol preferably includes any or allof the following steps: receiving an instruction at a lighting systemendpoint, generating control instructions for each controllable zonebased on the instruction, formatting the control instructions into a setof packets, transmitting each packet of the set to the lighting systemendpoint (e.g., over a wired or wireless connection, such as WiFi),buffering the instruction at the lighting system endpoint, detecting anexecution event at the lighting system endpoint (e.g., an animationevent; receiving a command, such as an ‘animate’ message; satisfactionof a predetermined timestamp, etc.), verifying that all instructionscorresponding to said command have been received (e.g., using a checksummethod or any other suitable method) after or before, and executing allinstructions corresponding to said command concurrently. Preferably, thelighting system endpoint is a control submodule of a lighting systemunit (e.g., local controller of a lighting system unit, controller ofthe lighting element device, etc.); alternatively, it may be any controlmodule in the lighting system or in an application associated with auser device. In one variation, the control instructions can be stored atthe master control module (e.g., client executing on the user device,lighting element device controller, etc.) and at the local controllersof the lighting system units, wherein the lighting system unitssynchronously execute the control instructions upon animation eventdetection. However, the control instructions can be otherwise bufferedand executed. Preferably, the lighting endpoint has on-boardmemory/local memory; alternatively, any other memory, such as memoryassociated with a remote server 170, may be used. In one variation, theinstruction is received at a lighting system endpoint in real-time.Alternatively, the instruction may be received in near real-time, aftera user has designated an instruction to be transmitted, or at any othertime. The buffering process is preferably prescribed by an algorithm ona control module of the lighting system, but can alternatively beprescribed by any other source, such as, but not limited to, anotherlocal controller (e.g. the processor in a user device), a remote server170 (e.g. the controller), etc.

The method can optionally include receiving user input at the lightingsystem, which functions to enable control of the lighting system, usingelements of the lighting system itself. Receiving user input at thelighting system is preferably performed at a system input, but canalternatively be performed by any suitable element of the lightingsystem. Receiving user input at the lighting system can include:rendering a color palette at a lighting system unit, receiving a userinput at the input that selects one or more colors from the colorpalette, and updating the virtual input region with the selectedcolor(s). In a specific example, the lighting system unit includes atouch-sensitive display, and the user input is received as a touch inputto the display. The resultant color pattern (e.g., parameters thereof)can optionally be transmitted to a user device (e.g., in real- ornear-real time, asynchronously, etc.), wherein the user device canrender a virtual representation of the lighting system (e.g., in thevirtual input region) with the same color pattern. However, inputsreceived by the lighting system can be otherwise used.

The method can optionally include storing system state data, whichfunctions to retain parameters describing the state of the lightingsystem. Storing system state data can enable replication of the storedsystem state by the lighting system. Storing system state data can beperformed on the client (user) device, on a remote server 170, or at anysuitable computing system that includes data storage. In a firstvariation, storing system state data can include receiving a user inputat the user interface that saves the system state of the lighting systemto a new “scene”; this scene can thus be recreated at the lightingsystem through retrieval of the stored system state.

The method can be performed in whole or in part by a native applicationon a user device, but can alternatively be performed by a remotecomputing system, by a browser application on a user device, by anapplication executing on the controller of the lighting element deviceand/or lighting system unit, or by any other suitable apparatus. Theuser device is preferably a mobile device associated with the user,including mobile phones, laptops, smartphones, tablets, or any othersuitable mobile device. The user device is preferably connected to theserver, wherein the connection is preferably a wireless connection, suchas Wi-Fi, a cellular network service, or any other suitable wirelessconnection, a near field connection, such as radiofrequency, Bluetooth,or any other suitable near field communication connection, or a wiredconnection, such as a LAN line. The user device can additionally oralternatively function as the server, such as in a distributed networksystem. The method can be performed by one or more servers, wherein theservers can be stateless, stateful, or have any other suitableconfiguration or property.

Although omitted for conciseness, the preferred embodiments includeevery combination and permutation of the various system components andthe various method processes, wherein the method processes can beperformed in any suitable order, sequentially or concurrently.

As a person skilled in the art will recognize from the previous detaileddescription and from the figures and claims, modifications and changescan be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope of this invention defined in the followingclaims.

We claim:
 1. A system for displaying colored light, the systemcomprising: a lighting system, the lighting system comprising aplurality of light emitters arranged in a set of controllable zones; aclient application, wherein the client application: receives a set ofregion selections; receives a set of color selections associated withthe set of region selections; a processing system, wherein theprocessing system: maps each region selection to a subset of the set ofcontrollable zones of the lighting system, thereby defining a regionalset of controllable zones; assigns the set of color selections to theregional set of controllable zones; identifies a plurality of lightemitters within the lighting system assigned to the regional set ofcontrollable zones; and controls the light emitters based on the colorselection assignments.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the clientapplication is in communication with a touch-sensitive surface.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the set of region selections is received fromthe touch-sensitive surface.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the setof region selections is determined based on a finger swipe of the userdetected at the touch-sensitive surface.
 5. The system of claim 3,wherein the touch-sensitive surface is remote from the lighting system.6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the processingsystem is arranged onboard the lighting system.
 7. The system of claim6, wherein a second portion of the processing system is arranged remotefrom the lighting system.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the clientapplication is further configured to receive an animation designationfrom the user, wherein the animation designation prescribes a dynamicpattern for controlling the light emitters.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the lighting system is a modular lighting system comprisingmultiple lighting units, wherein the plurality of light emitters isarranged among the multiple lighting units.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the processing system is further configured to determine alayout of the modular lighting system.
 11. The system of claim 10,wherein the client application is further configured to receive ananimation designation from the user, and wherein the processing systemis further configured to prescribe an animation pattern to the multiplelighting units based on the layout.
 12. The system of claim 10, whereinthe client application is further configured to present a virtualrepresentation of the layout.
 13. A method for displaying colored lightat a lighting system, the method comprising: receiving a set of regionselections; receiving a set of color selections associated with the setof region selections; mapping each of the set of region selections to aset of controllable zones of the lighting system, thereby defining aregional set of controllable zones; assigning the set of colorselections to the regional set of controllable zones; identifying lightemitters within the lighting system assigned to each of the regional setof controllable zones; and controlling the light emitters based on theset of color selection assignments and the set of color assignments. 14.The method of claim 13, wherein receiving the set of region selectionscomprises receiving the set of region selections from a touch-sensitivesurface.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the set of regionselections is determined based on a finger swipe of a user detected atthe touch-sensitive surface.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the setof region selections and the set of color selections are received from aclient application executing on a user device.
 17. The method of claim13, further comprising receiving an animation designation from a user,wherein the animation designation prescribes a dynamic pattern forcontrolling the light emitters.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein thelighting system is a modular lighting system comprising multiplelighting units, wherein the light emitters are distributed among themultiple lighting units.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingdetermining a layout associated with the multiple lighting units. 20.The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving an animationdesignation from a user and prescribing a dynamic pattern forcontrolling the light emitters, wherein the dynamic pattern isdetermined based on the animation designation and the layout.